Summary: Apprenticeship graduates often see some of the largest early-career wage increases in the U.S. workforce. Many skilled trades—including electricians, plumbers, linemen, and HVAC techs—experience pay jumps of 100% or more the moment workers reach journeyman status. This guide compares entry-level apprentice wages to typical certified wages across top trades.
One of the biggest financial advantages of apprenticeships is the pay jump that happens when you complete the program and reach journeyman or certified status.
Unlike many traditional college paths—where earnings often grow slowly over decades—skilled trade apprentices can see a sharp income jump the moment they complete their hours and earn their card.
For students comparing trade school vs. apprenticeship, understanding this jump is a key part of the decision.
This article breaks down:
- How much pay typically increases after completion of an apprenticeship
- Which trades see the largest apprentice-to-journeyman wage jump
- Which trades effectively double income post-completion
- Typical timelines for reaching journeyman wages
All figures are directional and reflect common wage progressions for high-demand U.S. trades. Actual pay will vary by region, union status, employer, and project type.
How We Measure the Pay Jump
To compare trades on the same footing, we look at three points in the pay scale:
- Average Year 1 Apprentice Wage — a typical entry wage for a first-year apprentice who’s just getting started on the tools
- Average Journeyman Wage — a typical wage after completing apprenticeship hours, passing exams, and earning full status
- % Pay Increase — how much wages increase from Year 1 apprentice to journeyman
Trades where journeyman wages are more than double the Year 1 apprentice rate are highlighted as “Double-Income Trades.” These are the paths where completing your apprenticeship can have the biggest immediate impact on take-home pay.
Top Trades by Pay Jump (Apprentice → Journeyman)
The table below shows typical entry-level apprentice wages and common journeyman wages across several high-demand skilled trades. Ranges reflect what many workers see in strong markets or union environments, but regional differences can be significant.
| Trade |
Typical Year 1 Apprentice Wage |
Typical Journeyman Wage |
% Increase After Completion |
Double-Income? |
| Electrician |
$18 – $22/hr |
$45 – $60+/hr |
~110 % – 170 % |
✔ Yes |
| Plumber / Pipefitter |
$17 – $21/hr |
$45 – $60+/hr |
~115 % – 170 % |
✔ Yes |
| HVAC Technician |
$16 – $20/hr |
$40 – $55+/hr |
~100 % – 160 % |
✔ Yes |
| Industrial Maintenance Tech |
$17 – $22/hr |
$42 – $58+/hr |
~90 % – 160 % |
Yes |
| Lineman / Powerline Tech |
$20 – $25/hr |
$50 – $75+/hr |
~100 % – 200 % |
✔ Yes |
| Welding (Certified) |
$15 – $19/hr |
$38 – $52+/hr |
~100 % – 170 % |
Yes |
| Heavy Equipment Operator |
$18 – $24/hr |
$40 – $60+/hr |
~90 % – 150 % |
Often |
| Diesel Mechanic |
$18 – $23/hr |
$40 – $60+/hr |
~80 % – 150 % |
Often |
| CNC Machinist / Tool & Die |
$17 – $22/hr |
$38 – $55+/hr |
~85 % – 150 % |
Often |
| Sheet Metal Worker |
$15 – $20/hr |
$38 – $52+/hr |
~90 % – 165 % |
Yes |
| Carpenter |
$16 – $20/hr |
$35 – $50+/hr |
~75 % – 150 % |
Often |
Visual Comparison: Apprentice vs. Journeyman Pay
To make the jumps easier to compare at a glance, the chart below shows approximate mid-range hourly wages for Year 1 apprentices versus journeymen in each trade. This doesn’t capture every regional nuance, but it highlights how dramatically earnings can change once you complete your apprenticeship.
Which Trades Double (or Nearly Double) Income?
In many states and markets, these trades reliably see at least a ~100 % pay increase after apprenticeship completion—effectively doubling income:
- Electrician — One of the biggest jump trades; apprentices often finish with journeyman wages more than double Year 1 pay.
- Plumber / Pipefitter — Similar to electricians, plumbers see huge pay increases post-certification, especially on commercial and industrial work.
- HVAC Technician — Large jump as skills become specialized and demand rises for complex systems and controls.
- Lineman / Powerline Tech — One of the highest percentage jumps, driven by utility sector demand, hazard pay, and storm work premiums.
- Welding (Certified) — Especially in industrial and structural welding, journeyman rates often exceed twice first-year pay.
Other trades like industrial maintenance, heavy equipment operation, and machinist roles also see very strong increases from apprentice to journeyman—sometimes approaching or exceeding 90 %+, depending on region and employer.
Why the Jump Is So Big
The size of the jump isn’t random. Several forces push journeyman wages far above entry-level apprentice pay:
- Skill premium: Journeymen have skills that go beyond basic tasks—they can troubleshoot, lead crews, read complex plans, and take on jobs that require high responsibility.
- Licensed / certified status: Many trades (electricians, plumbers, HVAC techs) require licensing or certification, which carries a wage premium and allows them to sign off on work.
- Employer investment: Once workers complete multi-year structured training, employers pay a premium to retain them instead of starting over with new apprentices.
- Demand pressure: High demand for experienced tradespeople pushes journeyman wages up faster than apprentice wages, especially in regions with labor shortages.
Typical Time to Achieve Journeyman Pay
The timeline from brand-new apprentice to full journeyman pay varies by trade and region—but most paths follow similar patterns:
- Electrician, Plumber, Lineman: 3–5 years (based on registered apprenticeship clock hours and licensing requirements)
- HVAC Technician: 3–5 years (with licensing, EPA certifications, and on-the-job experience)
- Welding: 2–4 years (varies by cert level and whether work is structural, industrial, or pipeline)
- Diesel Mechanic: 2–4 years (experience plus ASE certifications)
- Industrial Maintenance & CNC: 2–4 years (on-the-job training paired with classroom or trade school programs)
In most cases, reaching journeyman pay before age 25–27 is realistic if the apprentice starts right after high school and progresses steadily through their program.
Overtime, Certifications, and Supplemental Pay
Journeymen often earn even more than the base rates above through additional pay streams:
- Overtime: Time-and-a-half on evenings, weekends, or long shutdown projects can add $5,000–$15,000+ annually.
- Certifications: Specialized certifications (industrial controls, solar PV, high-voltage work, HVAC safety, etc.) often carry additional premiums.
- Shift/Location pay: High-cost states, remote projects, union sites, and hazardous environments frequently offer further wage differentials.
Takeaways for Career Planning
- Journeyman wages matter— a lot. In many trades, earnings at completion can double what apprentices start with, especially in high-demand regions.
- Trade choice influences your jump. If maximizing early earnings is your goal, focus on trades with the highest apprentice-to-journeyman multipliers, such as electricians, plumbers, linemen, and certified welders.
- Regional demand shapes actual take-home pay. High-demand states often pay more at every stage—apprentice and journeyman alike—so it’s worth comparing opportunities by state.
For detailed wage schedules, apprenticeship openings, and training pathways, explore our
U.S. Verified Trade Apprenticeships Database and Trade Career How-To Guides. Spending a few minutes comparing pay progressions by trade and state can help you choose a path with strong growth and earnings potential.
Data Sources & Methodology
Wage ranges and progression estimates in this report are based on typical rates from U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship programs, state workforce agencies, union wage sheets, and industry-reported journeyman wage schedules. Entry wages reflect common Year-1 apprentice rates, while journeyman wages represent typical certified pay in high-demand regions. Percent increases are directional and can vary by union status, cost of living, employer type, and local demand for skilled labor.
